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20 February 2006

Five things you always wanted to know about Austrian wines, but were afraid to ask.

1Even though Austria is further south than Germany, and therefore closer to the equator, its climate is more eXtreme - with colder winters and hotter summers. As a result, Austrian wines are generally more full-bodied - with higher natural alcohol levels than their German neighbors. Compare this German Riesling with an Austrian Riesling.

3Vienna is literally a wine capital. There are more than 1,700 acres of vineyards within the city limits. When you visit, you can try some of this fine urban wine in one of the city's numerous Heurigen

5As a historic part of the Austro-Hungarian empire, Hungary's Tokaji was the spotlight grabbing sweet wine when it came to Austrian wein. However, Austria has its very own dessert wine destination - Burgenland. Specifically the area around Neusiedler See (Lake Neusiedel) is quite well known for its Ausbruch wines.